System of electric signal or control for railway-trains.



J. T. THOMPSON. SYSTEM D? ELECTRIC SIGNAL 0R CONTROL FOR RAILWAY TRANS.

APPLICATION FLBD PEB. 23, 1909.

Patented Mar. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. T. THOMPSON. STEM 0F ELECTRIC SIGNA L 0R CONTROL POR RALWAY TRAINS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23, 1909.

Patented Mar. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

j' @AMM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. THQMPSON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SYSTEM 0F ELECTRIC SIGAL 0R CONTROL FOB. EMLII'AY-'lRLAIIN'S.V

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented -Mail. 15, 1910.

Application filed February 23, 1909. Serial No. 479,404.

e part of this specification.

lThis invention relates to a system of electrical signal or control for railway trains, and refers more specifically to a means for controlling the operating circuit of the signal or train control apparatus.

As herein shown, the train. is equipped with a controlling apparatus like that illustrated in my prior U. S. Letters Patent Number 869,590, which is arranged to apply the brakes to and stop or arrest the train when attempt is made to drive it past a signal set at danger or toy stop the train at other points along the track where provision may be made for controlling the train under predetermined or emergency conditions. Obviously, however, the operation herein shown may be readily adapted to signal systems or to train control apparatus which operate differently from that hereinabove referred to. f

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forthand more particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

In the drawings z-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a track section composed of two full signal blocks, equipped with a simple form ofsignaling system, and showing the electric controlling apparatus to which this invention relates. Fig. 2 illustrates an "arrangement for cont-rolling the signal or control apparatus at a turn out. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, in dotted outline,

-of a locomotive equipped with the automatic controlling apparatus. Figl 4 is a View in -side elevation of an electro-magnet used in the electric controlling apparatus. F ig. 5 is a view in end elevation of the electro-magnet illustrated in Fig. 4.

As shown in Fig. 1, a motor 5 for operating the brake apparatus is connected between the points 6 and of a four point switch 8, to the `'other 'y points 9- and 10 of which there is cnnecte'dlan' operating bat- '19. loosely connected by mea-ns of a link 20 to tery 11. The said switch 8 is pivotal-ly supported between its ends at the outer ends of the switch points 6 and 7, which are secured at their inner ends to an insulating plate 12.

At its lower end the said `switch is provided with a latch member 13 which is adapted to be engaged by a pivotally supported arm 14 controlled by the armature of an electromagnet 15.

As illustrated in the drawings, `(Figs. t.

and 5) the electro-magnet 15 embraces two coils 16, 1Q, and an armature 17. The said 'I armature 1s secured to the lower side of a f horizontally extendingv arm 18 which `is pivotally supported at its inner end between two upwardly extending bracket arms 19, At its outer end the ,said arm 18 is the outer end of the arm 14:,which latterl is pivot-ally supported on and between the upperends of the bracket arms 19, 19. The inner end of the arm '18 is turned downwardly and a spring 21 is attached at one end to said downturned portion of the arm and at its other end tothe base 22 which supports the magnet and brackets 19. VSaid spring tends to hold the armature away from the magnet. As will be seen `from this construction, the inner endof-the arm 14:

will be held engaged with the lath mem` ber 13 when the magnet is energized, thus maintaining the switch 8 and the motor circuit normally open. current. through the electro-magnet is interrupted the spring acts through the arms 18 and link 2O to swing the rear end of thev arm 14 away from the switch, whereupon the switch will be closed'by the spring' which is connected at one end to the upper end of the switch and at its other end to the plate 12. The closing of' the switch' closes `the motor circuit and the motor is started in operation to apply the' brakes. y If a signalv device be employedinstead of a train control device the closing of theswitch V8, moditied to suit the particular signal device, will close the signal circuit to indicate danger.

Vhen, however, they ioc The relay magnet 15 is energized by means of a battery 25 carried upon the engine (or car) and the circuit including thebattery and relay is normally closed through the track rails, as will hereinafter more fully appear. .The said relay magnet' is electrically connected to a spring pressed wheel 26 or it may be a brush) which is mounted between the front and rear wheels 27, 28 of .the 'trout truck of the engine at one side thereof and is adapted to travel upon the track rails atI one Side of the track. A similar yepring presaed `wheel (or brush) 29 is in a like manner mounted on the other eide of said front truck to travel on the track rails at the other side of the track and is electrically connected to the opposite eide of the relay magnet through the battery The said wheels QG and 29 are insulated from -each other and from the front and rear wheels of the front truck. VVhen the said wheels 26 and 29 and the front truck' wheels are running' on electrically continuous rails, or rails that are bonded together. the battery Q5 and relay magnet 15 will be in a circuit. which is maintained closed through the contact wheels Q6 and Q9 and the front truck wheels and their connecting axles. The circuit at such time will be from one l side of the relay magnet 15 through the conto denergize the relay magnet, whereupon l the motor or signal circuit will be closed and thus: arrest the train or operate a signal dci'ice, or both. l

In Fig. l Shown a section of track einbracing` two full signal blocks: A and l) andl ehort-circuited Ilsignalinn system referred to, or toother typers of such eignaline' Systeme in .such manner that when tlietrack relay is short-cirt cuited orits circuit opened. ae by a broken rail. the transient controlling` circuit of a train about to enter the short-'circuited or openl circuit blockwill be interrupted oi opened and thereby control the train or actuate a signal on the train approaching the block. One practical arrangement for eliiecting` this result is herein shown and is made as followe: The armature 3l of the Atrack magnet 3? is provided at its; ezwiiiging end adjacent to the contact- 3f) with a second contact/110 which is adapted to Short-circuit spring` contacts 4:3. 43 which are electrically connected with -two short rail Section5 45 and lo which are insulated trom the track rails 4T and iS. The said short insulated rail sections l5 and i6 are located in the lline of service rails and at a distai'icc inside of the 'tar end of the block.

tinuity otthe track rails of each block in troni and in rear of the insulated sections. Said insulated sections are. ot such length that when the contact wheels 26. and 29 are .passing over the Same. the wheels 2T and 2S oi. the iront engine truck are riding" upon the track railey adjacent to each end ol. the

a part ot' an advance block C. on which latter block is indicated one of the transient controlling' circuitst carried by an engine or train which may be deaignated a5 a whole ai l). The several' blocks ot' the tract are equipped with a lainiliar l'orin o'l: block signaling apparatus in which there is eur.

pltned at each block a track battery 32 bridged across the track rails which normally ein-igizes a track magnet 33, the ai'- mature Bl ot' which controls a local signal circuit Z535 located at the entrance to the block.

The .said signal circuit embraces a Said short lsections. The terminals; l and insulated 'ail sectioneI l5, lll and their connecting' wires constitute a loop through which the transient controllin'y circuit is closed at a time when the contact wheels (or brushes) 2o. 2U are. ridingovcr the ineulated rail sections: and at which time the circuit is broken between Vsaid contact wheels and truck wheels. .l`l1at is to say, the transient controllingI circuit will be thus closed it' the contact 45t) is engaged with the Spring' terininalfst 43. When the loop is closed at the terminala lf3 there will be no interruption of the transient controlling circuit and the train will pase over said insulated sections without operation ot" the train controlling' or the traneient signaling apparatus occurring'. lt' the loop be open at the terminals 43. however. the transient controllingl circuit battery 3U and relay magnet 3T which,- when j energized, may operate a target or semaphore to indicate a clear trac i ahead.

ture 34 which, by. the swinging movement ot the '.arniature, is moved into and out ot Said l circuit is closed' by a contact 3S on the arina- L may be opened at the terminals lf3 in any contact with Spring terminals 3U. 39 in-tl eluded in said circuit. ters upon the block the t 'ack battery 32 will be Sliort-cii'cuited. thus deiiergizing track magnet and onening,- tl e local signal circuitto display a danger signal.

When a train D enthe i will be interrupted as soon aa the contact wheels 215. 2) oase upon the insulated rail i sections, with t ie result of setting the train controllingor transient signalingl apparatus in olrieration. Said loop or partial circuit convenient manner to eii'ect this; result. That is to say. it may be opened by the throwingY ot a switclior semaphore, theI openiiml of a bridge'or by the .short circuit` ing ol the track re1 I- lrl in vthe signaling lt.' system shown in Figi. l. ln the latter event.

i assuming a train l) to be on the block A My improved train control oreignal apl,

paratus mayv be connected vwith the block (Fig. ll and the track relay 33 of'said block short circnited7 the loop will be open at the evc-, the block 4be clear the track magnet 33 is energized (as block B) and its armature is drawn up with the contacts .38, 40 en;y gaged with the spring contacts 39 and 43,'

respectively, .in which case the indicating device will display a"iio danger signal and the transient Acontrolling circuit will-be maintained closed while the contact wheelsV 26 and. 29 are passing over theinsnlated rail sections. 'lhe insulated rail sections are located atsuch distance inside the iarA ends of the blocks as to' i-nsure that ,the contact wheels willipassotl of the insulated rail sections before the front truck wheels pass upon the rails of the next block ahead and thereby prevent the train Asetting its con-v trolling or signaling device or 'a local signal against itself.. It 'will of course beI under-, stood tha-tthe transient train control or sig# nal device .may be operated either in conljunction with or independently of local signals, as semaphoi'fes at 'the' ljunctions of blocks.A It operatedgindependently of local signals the signal circuits 35 will be omitted.

`Arrangements whereby tlie-:Sfoontrolling mechanism hereinbefore described may be operated in connection with a switch or turn out and thus yavoid a train from being accidentally diverted into an open switch are illustrated in F ig. 2.,' As shown in said Fig. Zlthe switch points are operated by aswitch stand '52 of any preferred type locatedv at the side of the track. At a suitable distance in advance of said switch are two insulated rail sections`45, 46 like those 'hereinbefore referred to. sulated rail sections is electrically connected with a contact point 54 on' the switclistand, and the other insulated rail section is electrically connected with a switch arm 55. Said switch arm 55 is connected with a movable part of the switch stand in such manner that when the switch is closed to the main track the switch arm 55 will be in position for contact with. the Contact point 54, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus maintaining the insulated rail sections in circuit with the contact wheels 26, 29, as they pass over the insulated rail sections. lVheii, however, the switch is thrownopen the switch arm 53 will be moved out of contact with the point 54 and the loop circuit will be interrupted in the same manner as the loon circuitvshown invFig. 1 is interrupted when open at the contacts 43.

Various changes may be made in the transient.operatiiigcircuit to adapt the parts thereof to various forms of controlling and signaling devices carried by the train and the' invention is not limited to these or other structural details which have been illus- One of the said in! trated, excepting'as such details are herein-,-

after made the Subj ect of yspecific claims.

It will be evident to one skilled in the that instead of the two oppositely located `l insulated rail sections at the junction of the two blocks, there maybe lemployed a single fio yinsulatedfrail section, but the provision of two such rail sections increases the durabil-l yity of the apparatus and avoids liability of improper operation in case of impaired in sulation of one of the rail sections. I may'J .n employ a signal device, such as a lamp 60,'A which is connectedin the motor circuit, as;v 'y shown in Fig. 1, and which will .be operated..`

when the circuit is closed;

I claim as my invention l. An electric control system trains comprising, in combination, a con-V trolling apparatus carried on the loconioi' I tive, an electro-magnet:carried by the loeomotive adapted `when energized to render said apparatus inoperative, a =iiorinally closed controlling circuitfor saidelectro-y magnet including an energizing battery carried by the locomotive, and contact devices arranged between the front and rear wheels of the locomotive -V inengagement with, the track rails, the contact device atl one side being insulated from the 'contact device at the other side, and said contact devices being circuit through the track rails and the locoymotive wheels, and short insulated sections in the track rails over which the contact devices' travel, the said insulated rail sections being normally .coiinected so as to complete the circuit through the controlling apparatus when the contacts travel thereover, and means arranged to 'interrupt the connection between said insulated sections and thereby open the last -nained circuit.

2. An electric control system for railway trains comprising, in combination, a railway track divided into blocks, each equipped -with a track circuit including` a track relay,

a controlling apparatus carried on the locomotive," an electro-iiiagnet adapted when energized to render said controlling apparatus inoperative, a normally closed controlling circuit Jfor said electro-magnet including a battery carried by the locomotive, and contacts adapted to travel on the two track rails, said contacts being adapted to close the electro-magnet circuit through said track rails a-nd the locomotive wheels, insulated rail sections included in the track rails ot each block and located a distance inside the tar end of said block, said insulated rail sections being included in a normally closed partial local circuit, and means operated by conditions of danger in a blockahead to interrupt the partial circuit of the 0 adapted to complete the electro-magnet track divided into blocks, ear'h equipped traekrailg and the locomotive wheels, in- .sulal'ed rail ,Sections included 1n the trat-k rails; ot nach block and located a distance 1nside the far end of the block. conductors extending around said sections to maintain electric continui@v of the track rails of eaeh block in front and in rear of the insulated iseciions, said rail sections being normali)v connected toA form a closed partial ireuit, and means operated b v conditions of danger in a block aheadto interrupt the said partial circuit ol the next block in rear.I

' 4. The Combination with a traehr divided into insulated blocks, each of said l'iloeks Containing short, insulated rail .soutiens located near the forward end thereof, ot a normally closed traekeireuit for each block,

' a relay in Said track circuit, loeal partial circuits including said sliort insulated seetions and naving cirenitopeners normally Closed b v said trael'cireint relay, a eon-v trolling mechanism Carried by the locomotive, a motor adapted to operate said :neolianism. a battery for driving Said motor, a :switch adapted to connect said liattenxwith said motor. an electro-magnet adapted when energized to hold Said bwiteh open, a normally eloed circuit for Said eleetroanagnet including a battery carried by the locomotive, and contacts engaging the track ailsi Said contacts being'adapted to close said electro-magnet circuit through tlieqtrack rails and the locomotive wheels and tolopen said circuit to operate said switch when lsaid contacts engage the insulated Sections and local partial cirenitincluding` thewehort insulated rail sections ie open.

In testimony, that IV vclaim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, thi 16th {la}v of ltebruary A. D. 1909. l

JAMES .l; 'lHOlN/IPSON.

Witnesees G. J.vBRroE, l GEORGE R. WiLiuNs. 

